In the Days of Poor Richard eBook

“‘A man who likes a good joke will never
drive a spavined hoss,’ he answered merrily.

“So it happened that the mare Nancy fell into
the hands of Reuben Smith.”

CHAPTER XXIX

LOVE AND TREASON

When Jack and Solomon returned to headquarters, Arnold
and his wife were settled in a comfortable house overlooking
the river. Colonel Irons made his report.
The Commander-in-Chief complimented him and invited
the young man to make a tour of the camp in his company.
They mounted their horses and rode away together.

“I learn that General Arnold is to be in command
here,” Jack remarked soon after the ride began.

“I have not yet announced my intention,”
said Washington. “Who told you?”

“A man of the name of Henry Thornhill.”

“I do not know him but he is curiously well
informed. Arnold is an able officer. We
have not many like him. He is needed here for
I have to go on a long trip to eastern Connecticut
to confer with Rochambeau. In the event of some
unforeseen crisis Arnold would know what to do.”

Then Jack spoke out: “General, I ought
to have reported to you the exact words of Governor
Reed. They were severe, perhaps, even, unjust.
I have not repeated them to any one. But now
I think you should know their full content and Judge
of them in your own way. The Governor insists
that Arnold is bad at heart—­that he would
sell his master for thirty pieces of silver.”

Washington made no reply, for a moment, and then his
words seemed to have no necessary relation to those
of Jack Irons.

“General Arnold has been badly cut up in many
battles,” said he. “I wish him to
be relieved of all trying details. You are an
able and prudent man. I shall make you his chief
aide with the rank of Brigadier-General. He
needs rest and will concern himself little with the
daily routine. In my absence, you will be the
superintendent of the camp, and subject to orders
I shall leave with you. Colonel Binkus will
be your helper. I hope that you may be able to
keep yourself on friendly terms with the General.”

Jack reported to the Commander-in-Chief the warning
of Thornhill, but the former made light of it.

“The air is full of evil gossip,” he said.
“You may hear it of me.”

When they rode up to headquarters Arnold was there.
To Jack’s surprise the Major-General greeted
him with friendly words, saying:

“I hope to know you better for I have heard
much of your courage and fighting quality.”

“There are good soldiers here,” said Jack.
“If I am one of them it is partly because I
have seen you fight. You have given all of us
the inspiration of a great example.”